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Birds: different species, definitions, photos, and more

Birds are advanced vertebrates that are adapted to life on land and in the air. Birds in China are divided into six categories: waterfowl, wading birds, climbing birds, land birds, raptors, and songbirds. These six categories are collectively referred to as the six major ecological groups of birds. There are many species of birds, spread all over the world, and the ecology is diverse. There are more than 9,020 known bird species in existence, and more than 1,400 species in China.

Birds (Aves) are a unique category of vertebrates, known for their feathers covering their entire body, their ability to fly, and their ability to lay eggs. Birds are the only existing animals with feathers and play an important role in biodiversity and ecosystems.

  • Scientific name: Aves

  • Main features:

    1. Feathers: Feathers are a unique feature of birds and are used for flight, insulation and display.

    2. Homothermia: Birds are warm-blooded animals and can survive in a variety of environments.

    3. Flight ability: Most birds can fly, but there are exceptions (such as ostriches and penguins).

    4. Oviparous: Birds reproduce by laying eggs, which have hard shells.

    5. Beak: Birds have no teeth, and their beaks are adapted to different feeding needs.

  • Ecological role:

    • Pollination, seed dispersal, pest control.

    • An important link in the food chain.

  • Evolutionary history:

    • Birds originated from dinosaurs in the Mesozoic era (about 150 million years ago).

    • Archaeopteryx is considered an important transitional species between birds and dinosaurs.

Bird classification table

Birds include about 30 orders, covering more than 10,000 known species. The following is a detailed classification of birds, including major orders, families, genera and typical representatives.


Classification levelOrderFamilyGenusRepresentative birds (Examples)
Land birds
GalliformesPhasianidaePheasant (Phasianus)pheasant, peacock


Guinea fowl (Numididae)Guinea fowl (Numida)guinea fowl


MeleagrididaeMeleagrisTurkey
WaterfowlAnseriformesAnatidaeAnasWild duck, swan



BrantaBranta
Birds of preyFalconiformesFalconidaeFalcoSaker Falcon, Peregrine Falcon

AccipitriformesAccipitridaeAquilagolden eagle, vulture



MilvusRed kite, black kite
Wading birdsCiconiiformesStorks (Ciconiidae)CiconiaWhite stork, black stork

PelecaniformesPelecanidaePelecanusWhite Pelican, Brown Pelican


FregatidaeFregatafrigate bird
SongbirdsPasseriformesPasseridaePasserHouse sparrow, mountain sparrow


HirundinidaeHirundoBarn swallow, sand swallow


PsittacidaePsittacusafrican gray parrot
seabirdsCharadriiformesLaridaeLarusHerring Gull, Black-backed Gull


Plovidae (Charadriidae)CharadriusGolden Plover, Ring-necked Plover

Albatross (Procellariiformes)Albatross family (Diomedeidae)Albatross (Diomedea)Wandering Albatross
Climbing birdsWoodpeckers (Piciformes)Woodpeckers (Picidae)Woodpecker (Dendrocopos)Great Spotted Woodpecker

Buddha, Dharma and Sangha (Coraciiformes)CoraciiformesCoraciasBlue-breasted Buddha monk
Penguin categoryPenguin Order (Sphenisciformes)Penguin family (Spheniscidae)Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis)Emperor Penguin, Adélie Penguin

Main evolutionary history of birds

Origin

Birds originated from dinosaurs and are descendants of theropod dinosaurs. Archaeopteryx from the Mesozoic Era (about 150 million years ago) is the earliest known bird fossil, with dinosaur teeth and bird feathers, and is regarded as a transitional species between birds and dinosaurs.

Evolution and Diversity

  1. Cenozoic Flourish: After the extinction of the dinosaurs, birds underwent rapid adaptive radiation evolution, expanding into a variety of ecological niches.

  2. Flight and Adaptation: Birds have lightweight skeletons and streamlined bodies, which provide an evolutionary advantage for flight.

  3. Global Distribution: There are more than 10,000 existing species of birds, distributed in almost all habitats on Earth.

Ecological Roles of Birds

  1. Pollination and Seed Dispersal: Birds such as hummingbirds and parrots maintain plant diversity by pollinating and dispersing seeds.

  2. Pest Control: Woodpeckers and swallows control insect populations, which helps agriculture.

  3. Ecological Balance: Birds of prey such as eagles and falcons are at the top of the food chain and maintain the stability of the ecosystem.

Bird Conservation Status

  1. Habitat Loss: Deforestation and wetland destruction threaten bird survival.

  2. Climate Change: Climate change affects the reproduction and habitat of migratory birds.

  3. Conservation Actions: Bird sanctuaries, such as crane sanctuaries and wetland restoration projects, have been established around the world.

Conclusion

Birds are among the most diverse and adaptable animals on Earth. From songbirds to raptors, from land to sea, birds have demonstrated extraordinary evolutionary adaptability. Through this detailed classification list and bird introduction, users can gain in-depth knowledge of the evolutionary history, classification, and important role of birds in the ecosystem. This not only helps spread knowledge, but also provides a scientific basis for bird protection.

Waterfowl Wading birds Climbing birds Landfowl Bird of prey Songbird
Podager nacunda

Podager nacunda

Podager nacunda，Nacunda Nighthqwk

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The name is Podager nacunda, and the foreign name is Nacunda Nighthqwk.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chordeiles gundlachii

Chordeiles gundlachii

Chordeiles gundlachii，AntilleanNightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The name Chordeiles gundlachii and the foreign name AntilleanNightjar are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chordeiles acutipennis

Chordeiles acutipennis

Chordeiles acutipennis，Lesser Nighthqwk

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Chordeiles acutipennis and Lesser Nighthqwk are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chordeiles minor

Chordeiles minor

Chordeiles minor，Common Nighthawk

Climbing birds LC

Features：The body feathers are mottled, and the color is mainly brown, light yellow, cinnamon, gray and black, with concealment

Chordeiles minor, Common Nighthawk, has nine subspecies. In Louisiana, the species is known as the "flying toad" by descendants of French immigrants; In Virginia, they are called "bats." But the most common name is "nighthawk".The American nighthawk can hardly walk on t...

Chordeilesrupestris

Chordeilesrupestris

Chordeilesrupestris，Sand-colored Nighthawk

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Chordeilesrupestris, Sand-colored Nighthawk, is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chordeiles vielliardi

Chordeiles vielliardi

Chordeiles vielliardi，Bahian Nighthqwk

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Chordeiles vielliardi and Bahian Nighthqwk are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Nyctiprogne leucopyga

Nyctiprogne leucopyga

Nyctiprogne leucopyga，Band-tailed Nighthawk

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Nyctiprogne leucopyga, and its foreign name is Band-tailed Nighthawk.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lurocalis rufiventris

Lurocalis rufiventris

Lurocalis rufiventris，Rufous-bellied Nighthqwk

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Lurocalis rufiventris and its foreign name is Rufous-bellied Nighthqwk.Listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Protection Level: Not Threatened (LC).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone'...

Lurocalis semitorquatus

Lurocalis semitorquatus

Lurocalis semitorquatus，Semicollared Nighthawk

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Lurocalis semitorquatus, Semicollared Nighthawk, and its specific habit is unknown.International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Protection Level: No Threat (LC)Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's respo...

Aegotheles cristatus

Aegotheles cristatus

Aegotheles cristatus，Australian Owlet-nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird is known as Aegotheles cristatus and Australian Owlet-nightjar, but its behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Aegotheles bennettii

Aegotheles bennettii

Aegotheles bennettii，Barred Owlet Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Aegotheles bennettii, or Barred Owlet Nightjar, is an owl-like, small bird that eats insects.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Aegotheles savesi

Aegotheles savesi

Aegotheles savesi，New Caled onian Owlet Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：Known as the world's most elusive bird

Aegotheles savesi, also known as the New Caled onian Owlet Nightjar, is a large, critically endangered or possibly extinct species of owl (a bird related to the swift and the nighthawk) endemic to New Caledonia.Shinji live on high ground and build their nests in tree holes, where they feed and somet...

Aegotheles albertisi

Aegotheles albertisi

Aegotheles albertisi，Mountain Owlet Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

灰裸鼻鸱学名Aegotheles albertisi，外文名Mountain Owlet Nightjar，具体习性不详。保护野生动物，杜绝野味。维护生态平衡，人人有责！...

Aegotheles wallacii

Aegotheles wallacii

Aegotheles wallacii，Wallace's Owlet Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The scientific name of Wallace's Owlet Nightjar is Aegotheles wallacii, and its foreign name is Wallace's Owlet Nightjar. Its specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate game.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Aegotheles crinifrons

Aegotheles crinifrons

Aegotheles crinifrons，Halmahera owlet-nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：It is the most well-known of the skinny-nosed striggers

The owl has the scientific name Aegotheles crinifrons and the foreign name Halmahera owlet-nightjar. Its specific behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Aegotheles tatei

Aegotheles tatei

Aegotheles tatei，Spangled Owlet Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Scientific name nguyen bare nose leather Aegotheles tatei, foreign names states Owlet Nightjar, specific behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Aegotheles insignis

Aegotheles insignis

Aegotheles insignis，Feline Owlet Nightjar

Climbing birds LC

Features：

Aegotheles insignis, Feline Owlet Nightjar, and its behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Nyctibius bracteatus

Nyctibius bracteatus

Nyctibius bracteatus，Rufous Potoo

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The bird's scientific name is Nyctibius bracteatus, and its foreign name is Rufous Potoo.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Nyctibius leucopterus

Nyctibius leucopterus

Nyctibius leucopterus，White-winged Potoo

Climbing birds LC

Features：

白翅林鸱（学名：Nyctibius leucopterus，英文名：White-winged Potoo）具体习性不详。列入《世界自然保护联盟》（IUCN）2012年濒危物种红色名录ver 3.1——无危（LC）。保护野生动物，杜绝野味。维护生态平衡，人人有责！...

Nyctibius maculosus

Nyctibius maculosus

Nyctibius maculosus，Andean Potoo

Climbing birds LC

Features：

The Andean owl is known as Nyctibius maculosus or Andean Potoo, but its behavior is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Nyctibius griseus

Nyctibius griseus

Nyctibius griseus，potoo

Climbing birds LC

Features：Good at camouflage, known as the master of camouflage in the animal kingdom

Woodbirds are highly nocturnal birds and are generally not active during the day. During the day they perch on branches with their eyes half closed. Woodbirds use the pattern of their feathers to disguise themselves as stumps, and once they see danger, they adopt a similar "frozen" posture...

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